Refrigeration coil



Filed May 10, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 1, 194s. 4 J'. J. BOOTlE-I 2,442,719

REFRIGERATION CbIL "VENTUR- [Tr-OWE) June 3, 1948. J. J. BOOTH 2,442,719

- REFRIGERATION con.

Filed May 10, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 1, 1948 REFRIGERATION COIL Jack J. Booth, Dallas, Ten, asslgnor to John S. Booth, Dallas, Tex.

Application May 10, 1946, Serial No. 668,858

3Claims. 1

This invention relates to refrigeration equipment and more particularly to new and useful improvements in cooling coils for refrigerating units.

The principal object of the invention is-to provide a cooling coil for all types of refrigeration which by virtue of its peculiar construction and form, is not as likely to become frost laden as conventional types of refrigerating coils.

Conventional coils of mechanical refrigeratingunits on which the present invention is an improvement, consist of lengths of pipe formed into a flattened spiral whose convolutions are of equal length and co-extensive. Such a coil is equipped with parallel, air regulating fins, extending the length of the coil in transverse relation to its convolutions. Moreover, the coil is embraced by an open ended casing or flue through which air is continuously circulated by mechanical means.

The mechanical air circulating means common to the type of coil described is effective to distribute throughoutthe interior of the cabinet housing the coil, the air which by conduction, is materially reduced in temperature and because of moisture entrained with the air, dehydration.

of any foodstuffs in the cabinet will be held at the minimum. The moisture content of the air depends upon periodic melting of frost accumulating on the coil and if large deposits of frost are permitted to collect on the coil, eiliciency of the latter is greatly reduced and at the same time operating costs are increased.

Due to the juxtapositioning or aligning of the ends of the conventional coil, warm air influenced into the casing has little effect to discourage accumulations of frost between the adjacent ends of the convolutions of the coil, hence the frost eventually becomes solid ice which not only hinders air circulation but otherwise reduces the conductiveness and general efiiciency of the coil.

The present invention anticipates the provision of a refrigerating coil in the form of a flattened spiral but whose convolutions while of the same length, are staggered, that is to say. the ends of alternate convolutions are short of the plane of the ends of the companion convolutions on each side of the coil. By thus forming the coil, the convolute ends are adequately spaced to allow free passage of air, insuring contact thereof with the end of each individual convolution of the coil, thereby eliminating objectionable frost deposits therebetween.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system of refrigeration, including a coil of the character set forth, which, by virtue of individual compartments superimposed above the coil, foodstufls or other perishables may be preserved through the provision of restricted air inlets and outlets, in said compartments, precluding the necessity for air pervious shelves, as conventionally provided to insure adequate cooling.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, theinvention has further reference to certain features of accomplishment which will become apparent as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view of a cooling coil constructed accordingto the present invention.

Figure 2 is a. side elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the improved coil with the central section broken away.

Figure 4 is a plan view of an insulated cabinet or box, partly in section, showing the invention,

and

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of Figure 4 in vertical section.

Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawings. reference is primarily made to Figures 4 and 5 in which l0 denotes a box or freezing cabinet whose walls are insulated according to accepted practice. Obviously, the box may be of any desired dimensions but for purposes of illustration, its height is shown to ac-' commodate two compartments l I, defined by vertical plates l2, preferably of a material of conducting characteristics, as is likewise a horizontal partition l3 which equally divides the box into the compartments H. The compartments II are closed except for elongated openings or louvers It in the end plates [2 adjacent the tops of the compartments. Of course. access is gained to the compartments by way of doors IS in the box. Further reference will be made to the compartments presently.

Disposed in the refrigerating compartment l6 defined by a plate I! spaced above the bottom of the box, is a cooling coil l8, which may be in one or more connected sections, as shown. This coil consists of one or more lengths of tubing connected by a coupling 19 to facilitate removal. The tubing is formed into a flattened spiral whose convolutions are of a width approximating the depth of the refrigerating compartment l6 and the coil, as a, whole, while it may be co-extensive with the refrigerating compartment, it is shown as being somewhat shorter and narrower than said compartment.

Lying within and longitudinally with respect to the coil is a plurality of parallel fins 20 which direct the flow of air and are attached to the convolutions of the coil to provide longitudinal passages throughout the length of the refrigerating compartment. Rails 2| of substantially V-shape in transverse section are disposed lengthwise of the coil along the top and bottom to provide conduction between the coil and the overlying plate I! which latter is held in spaced relationship with the floor of the lowermost compartment I I by means of spacers 22 At one end of the refrigerating compartment I6 is a blower type fan 23 whose discharge 24 is confined by a transverse end plate 25 which prevents counter movement of air through the compartment I8. Air is caused by the blower 23 to move longitudinally through the refrigerating compartment, emerging at the end thereof and enters the vertical space 26 at the ends of the box as defined by plates l2. The lowermost of the elongated openings M in the plates l2 has a lip 21 serving as a baflle to constrain a part of the stream of air rising in the space 26 to enter at one end of the lowermost cooling compartment II, to emerge at the opposite end and become entrained with the downward current of warm air at the opposite end of the box. under influence of the blower 23.

It is important to observe, especially in Figures 1 to 4, that while the coil l8 as a whole is of a definite width, the convolutions thereof are staggered so that the ends of alternate convolutions of the coil will be spaced inwardly or outwardly of the ends of the companion convolutions. The air influenced by the blower 23 to travel through the refrigerating compartment tends to move in a straight path and since the ends of the convolutions are staggeredly arranged, there will be presented no obstacle to the air stream which will impose a scrubbing action on the convolute ends as well'as the transverse portions of the coil. This free and unrestricted passage of air prevents accumulation of frost where it tends to collect in conventional coils, that is, between the ends of the convolutions which are by-passed by the air in circulation, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the coil as well as increasing the cost of operating the unit. I

As to the method of operating the unit, this is carried out in a manner comparable with conventional refrigerating units, that is, by circulating intermittently through the coil a liquid refrigerant while continuously operating .the blower 23.

It is obvious from the foregoing that the arrangement by which air is circulated through the storage compartments ll is such that each ha individual circulation which means, in one sense. that a commodity having a transferable odor may be safely stored in one compartment without likelihood that its odor will contaminate a commodity of a, different characteristic stored in an adjacent compartment. This is true because the air, in traversing the refrigerating coil i 8, will be deprived of entrained odors or impurities by the frost on the coil; during each cycle. The frost, in melting, will be dispensed with through a suitable drain as waste water.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and described is capable of some modification and such modification as may be construed to fall within the scope and meaning of the appended claims is also considered to be within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a, refrigcrating coil consisting of a flattened body formed by a spiral tube defining elongated and inclined convolutions transverse to the length of said body whose ends are in alternate staggered reiationship, and a plurality of evaporator fins disposed longitudinally of said body within the convolutions of said coil.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a refrigerating coil consisting of a spiral tube through which a liquid refrigerant is intermittently circulated, the convolutions of said tube being inclined and formed into a flattened body and so arranged that their ends will be alternately staggered to admit of unrestricted passage of air and a plurality of parallel fins extending longitudinally of said body within the confines of said coil.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a refrigerating coil consisting of a flattened spiral coil through which a liquid refrigerant is intermittently circulated, and whose convolutions are inclined and alternately staggered to effect inward spacing of the ends of alternate convolutions and a series of fins disposed longitudinally within the confines of said coil.

' JACK J. BOOTH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,397,392 Amend Nov. 10, 1921 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 574,941 Germany Aug. 22, 1933 

